The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that unions lost 612,000 members in 2010, dropping the unionized share of the work force to 11.9 percent from 12.3 percent in 2009. That follows a loss of 771,000 workers in 2008, continuing a steady decline from the 1950s when more than a third of workers belonged to unions.

The news comes as union officials are pressing President Barack Obama and other leaders to invest more money in infrastructure projects like repairing highways and bridges to help stimulate the economy and create new jobs. That plea is meeting stiff resistance from Republicans intent on cutting spending sharply to pare back the rising national debt.

2 comments:

Anonymous
said...

I am a union worker and I have to say. Public sector union employees are ruining not only our unions but our country as well. A business in dealing with a union has collective bargaining to deal with and theoretically if the business can not afford raises, healthcare ect. for its union employees then it can refuse or negotiate a compromise. Our public sector union members are holding us, the citizens hostage. They demand a pay raise or more benefits from the politician that owes his or her job to them and what do you think happens? Of course the politician tows the line and caves in. What the hell it's not his money after all. The citizens including the private sector union employees then enjoy raised taxes to pay for thier "brothers" new raise or benefits. Meanwhile the public gets fed up with all union members and the private sector members get painted with the same brush. Thanks "brothers and sisters" (sarcasm intended).